ASCOT United assistant manager Paul McGrotty believes the strike partnership between Matt Jones and Jermaine Roache could become one of the most potent in the division.

A week after the departure of Yellamen stalwart Jon Bennett, Ascot ramped up their attacking prowess by beating Shrivenham 4-1 away from home on Saturday with Roache and Jones both on the scoresheet and combining well.

McGrotty told the Villager: “On their day, they’re one of the best forwards in the league. We need to get them playing together to see that develop.

“In the second half, they linked up really well.” Speaking about Jones, McGrotty added: “It was his best contribution for Ascot since he signed. His link-up play and awareness of team mates was superb.” Recent signing Alex Rodrigues from Egham Town, made an impressive debut alongside the now established youngster Luke Neville.

Also Sam Whitting another new recruit on dual registration from Marlow, came on as a sub.

There was also a welcome return for Jack Smillie, who took a break due to work commitments but appeared as a second half substitute.

McGrotty is also hopeful of making further additions to the squad in the coming weeks to ‘freshen’ up the squad.

Neither team could make the breakthrough in an even first half, but it was the home team that came closest when hitting the bar in the fifth minute.

Ascot’s best efforts came from a couple of Jones shots and Lee Boon, whose effort was well blocked.

It was a different story in the second half as the Yellamen started to create chances with great incisive passing that opened up the Shrivenham defence.

It was no surprise when, in the 49th minute, Jones played a perfect lay back for Joe Gritt to unleash a brilliant drilled shot which flew past the keeper from 25 yards.

Another quality goal followed three minutes later when Jones who cooly picked his spot.

Ascot switched off at the back allowing Shrivenham to get a goal back moments later.

However on 59 minutess Jones, who had battled hard up front all game, muscled his way into the box only to be scythed down. Roache dispatched the resulting penalty to make it 3-1.

More good football produced a fourth goal on 66 mins when Roache and Jones combined to set up Boon to curl a shot past the keeper from the edge of the box.

It could and should have been more with Daryl McLean’s clever play twice resulting in balls across the box, but no final touch from an Ascot player.

McGrotty added: “Daryl’s performance deserved a goal. He’s a really exciting player. He gets to the byline more than any Ascot player.” The Yellamen host Cheltenham Saracens at the Racecourse on Saturday (3pm ko) and McGrotty is wary of their threat.

“They’re a dangerous side. They’ve had some mixed results this season and they beat Binfield last week which I wasn’t expecting.

“We want to follow up with back-to-back-victories.” However, captain Dave Hancock is unavailable for Saturday’s match. Ascot: Grace, Hancock, Dean (Smillie), Rodrigues, Neville, Gritt, McLean, Saunders (Hodnett), Jones (Whiting), Roache, Boon Subs not used: Denton, Lamb